How to toilet train your dog

This article mainly targets the fixed-point toilet training for families in city buildings, and we will use training pads (pee pads) as the target location for the toilet.

Preparation tools: dog cage, fence/barrier, and training pads

Utilize Natural Instincts: Dogs are naturally clean

Dogs are naturally clean and will try to hold their bowel movements in their nests and run to the farthest place to defecate.

This characteristic is most obvious in puppies. As long as the excretion and living space are reasonably separated, the dog’s clean nature will automatically look for a fixed point to go to the toilet in the distance.

For occasional mistakes in excretion, just wipe it clean with toilet paper, and throw the wiped toilet paper on the designated training pad, and the dog will find this target next time.

Space segregation must be clear! Separate sleeping/eating and toilets

The space planning at the beginning of raising a dog is very important. The sleeping and eating environment can be compatible, but the toilet area must be clearly distinguished.

Although urban home space is limited, the toilet and sleeping nest should be kept as separate as possible. You can put the training pad in the toilet, on the balcony, or wherever you want.

In order to avoid the dog’s random defecation, some people choose to lock the dog in a cage or tie it in a small range. But in a small space, it is difficult to achieve space segregation. The dog can only choose to sleep, eat and go to the toilet in the same place. This environment forces the dog to learn to adapt to a dirty and messy living environment.

Toilet training pad setting

1.The area of the training pad is from large to small

In order to increase the success rate of the dog’s bowel movements on the training pad, the training pad can be spread over a large area at the beginning, and then the range can be gradually reduced.

2.You can choose to add a fence or barrier to prevent the dog from running out of range when defecating.

Observe your dog: mastering the timing of defecation is the key

The reason for the failure of defecation training is that the owner missed the timing to take the dog to the correct place to defecate.

Because the number of times a dog defecates every day is limited, the owner often loses confidence and patience during the waiting time for defecation. If at this time, the owner shows a restless mood and disgusting behavior, it will make the dog learn more difficult.

The secret to successful training lies in grasping the timing of the dog’s bowel movements, such as defecating 10 minutes after eating. You can also use small tricks, let the dog drink a lot of water and eat during the training period, which will increase the frequency and opportunities for going to the toilet.

Only by mastering the timing can you bring the dog to the designated training pad at the right time. After he defecates, give him an immediate reward, form a positive cycle, and let the dog know that he can get delicious food when he defecates in the right place.

Training cycle

If you can’t grasp the regularity of the dog’s toilet, you can also try the full-course planning training. This training can effectively control the dog’s work and rest, not only train the dog to defecate, but also develop good work and rest and space recognition.

The training cycle can be divided into dog cages, toilets and activity spaces according to the environment.

1.Rest in the dog cage.

Most of the time in a day, let the dog rest and sleep in the dog cage. Using the dog’s nature mentioned earlier, it will hold back not going to the toilet in the dog nest, and because the range of activities is limited, it can also effectively prevent the dog from defecating anywhere in the home.

2.Master the bowel movement routine and take it to the toilet every once in a while.

Rest in the dog cage for a while, the recommended time length is more than 3 hours, but the actual adjustment according to the dog’s condition, lengthen or shorten the time. Wait for the bladder to fill up with urine, then take the dog to the point of defecation and let the dog defecate immediately.

3.Reward the dog after going to the toilet.

Immediately verbally praise and give food rewards after the dog goes to the toilet at the designated place

4.Play in the activity area for a while or go for a walk outside.

After defecating, let the dog play and move freely in the activity space, or go for a walk outside.

5.Rest in the transport cage again

After a few days of repeated toilet training cycles, the dog will have a clear understanding of what to do in what space, and through repeated training, the dog will form good living habits and will not defecate anywhere.

Don’t punish randomly

In the training of fixed-point defecation, it is recommended that the owner use the way of praise more. After the dog defecates correctly, give a reward immediately.

When the dog makes a mistake, the dog cannot understand the human language scolding, and the scolding may not be immediate.

At this time, the owner’s scolding often fails to work, but instead confuses the dog, who does not understand why the owner has a large emotional fluctuation.

Problems over time

Indoor marking: signs of tension or unease

The behavior of indoor marking and defecating anywhere is not the main discussion range of fixed-point defecation training, because the root cause comes from the dog’s psychological problems.

It may be that as the time at home increases, the unease and tension will ease, and the problem of indoor marking will no longer exist.